How to say “be afraid” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “khaf”; in Algerian, “khaf”; in Tunisian, “khoft” and “5af”.
In Moroccan Darija
khaf خاف
A verb meaning “to be afraid, to fear”; “to fear (God), to respect”.
اللي خاف نجا: “Whoever is afraid gets away safe.”
In Algerian Darja
khaf خاف
A verb meaning “to be afraid, fear”; “to worry about someone”.
ماتخافش، راني معاك.: “Don't be afraid, I'm with you.”
In Tunisian Derja
khoft خفت
A verb meaning “I was afraid / you were afraid”; “to worry about someone”.
خفت برشا كي سمعت الخبر: “I was very scared when I heard the news.”
5af خاف
A verb meaning “to be afraid, to fear”; “to worry about someone”.
خاف لا حقّوا يضيع و خاف لا ال وقت يفوته ,: “He feared that his right would be lost and he feared that time would slip away from him.”